Tales of Monsterland DX

Save a village besieged by monsters by uncovering their origin. Run, jump, and battle through a magical world while gaining new abilities. Inspired by classic 8-bit platformers, it’s a fast-paced adventure with charm and challenge.

About the Developer

Bio

Name / Studio Name

Joel / Joel J Games

Location

Manchester, UK

How It Started

I’ve been interested in making games since playing around with tools like Klik & Play when I was younger, but it took a pandemic—and the free time of lockdown—to finally get started. The improvements in modern tooling helped make it possible, too.

Other Games / Projects

Aside from the original (non-DX) Tales of Monsterland, I’ve been working on my second game, a Game Boy open-world sci-fi RPG called Fall from Space, for the last three years.

Fun Fact

This might be common among other developers, but outside of actual development time, I really struggle to stop thinking about the game and its world. I often find myself recording ideas while in the shower, driving home, or trying to fall asleep!

The Idea

Why I Made This Game

It’s both a love letter to the kind of games I enjoyed playing on my original Game Boy, and a “what if” scenario – what if a game like Wonder Boy had come out on that platform?

What Makes This Game Special

It’s my first game, and making it has felt like revisiting memories and emotions from a particular time in my life.

You'll Love This If...

You enjoy a bit of escapism in a charming 8-bit world – especially if you're a fan of classic platformers.

Inspiration / Influences

Kirby, Wonder Boy, Alex Kidd

Favorite Feature

Definitely the chiptune soundtrack. June (Incognitio) did such an amazing job with the music – it really brings the world to life!